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ZELIENOPLE — After discussing the merits of supporting emergency medical service funding, borough council approved the borough’s 2026 budget and enacted a dedicated half-mill tax increase to support Harmony EMS.

The budget, which totals nearly $12.8 million in revenue and expenditures, passed unanimously during a meeting Monday, Dec. 8. Its largest allotment was the electric fund, totaling more than $5.8 million, followed by the general fund at more than $3.8 million and the water fund at more than $2.1 million.

While spending will increase slightly from last year’s $12.4 million budget, borough officials said a millage hike was not necessary for general operations.

The EMS tax, meanwhile, comes in response to Harmony EMS’ ongoing funding crisis, which officials say has strained its ability to maintain staffing and service levels across the region.

Zelienople’s half-mill levy is expected to generate about $14,500 annually for the service, based on current property assessments, according to borough manager Andrew Spencer.

“If the EMS providers that we have are struggling — which is what they’re telling us — we felt we needed to do something,” Spencer said. “No one wants to end up without those services.”

Harmony EMS had previously warned members of the Southwestern Butler Council of Governments that without new, steady revenue coming in, the agency would face potential shortfalls in service.

Some of the 10 municipalities approached by Harmony EMS already have committed to either adopting the tax bump or have pledged direct monetary contributions.

In other business, council authorized staff to hire a full-time zoning officer in the coming weeks to fill a recently opened vacancy.

Council also unanimously voted to cancel its Dec. 29 meeting, which would have been the final one of the year. Additionally, Zelienople’s mandated reorganization meeting is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the borough building.